Chairman's Corner
What an exciting season it has been for Arkansas and global trade!
Last month, we celebrated five outstanding Arkansas companies at the 2026 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade luncheon. Congratulations to our winners, and a sincere thank-you to our sponsors, partners, volunteers, and everyone who made this year’s celebration such a success. The energy in the room was a wonderful reflection of Arkansas’ growing global reach. Be sure to check out the photos on our website! Starting in November, we will feature one Winner per month in the newsletter.
We’re keeping that momentum going with our new Global Growth Starts Here webinar series, designed to give businesses practical information and resources for getting started in exporting. Register for all five sessions or just the ones you need!
October is Manufacturing Month, and our close partner, the U.S. Commercial Service, is offering various programs for American manufacturers. Don't miss the AI Search for Manufacturers webinar focused on helping companies improve their visibility in today’s AI-driven search landscape!
We’re also looking forward to the Mid America Trade Summit on Oct 7, where two of our past Governor's Award winners will be recognized as Outstanding Exporters. Colton Rook again shares timely insights in News You Can Use and we have new opportunities from our Arkansas economic development partners.
Thank you for being part of the Arkansas DEC community. Together, we’re helping Arkansas businesses think globally, grow strategically, and succeed around the world.
Warm regards,
Jonathan Bricker
Chair, Arkansas District Export Council
Jonathan.Bricker@regions.com
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GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN GLOBAL TRADE | A Grand Celebration of Arkansas Exporters | |
What a great day for Arkansas global trade! On September 17, we brought together business leaders, exporters, trade professionals, government representatives, sponsors, and friends from across the state for the 16th Annual Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade in Little Rock.
The luncheon was filled with positive energy, inspiring stories, and a shared enthusiasm for Arkansas businesses competing and succeeding around the world. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson served as keynote speaker, sharing insights and helping celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s honorees.
Congratulations to our 2026 Award Recipients!
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femPAQ Inc. of Fayetteville — Global Impact in Women’s Health
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Staley House of Helena — Global Impact in Medical Innovation
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Pacmac, Inc. of Fayetteville — Excellence in Global Packaging Innovation
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Pellucere Technologies of Springdale — Excellence in Global Manufacturing & Innovation
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PEPM Group of Fayetteville — Excellence in Global Engineering Services
From innovative medical products and advanced materials to packaging technology and engineering services, these five companies are expanding into markets across Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East, and Oceania—creating jobs, driving innovation, and showcasing Arkansas expertise on the global stage.
We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and the energy, innovation, and global ambition that continue to make Arkansas a strong competitor in international markets.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s celebration such a success!
More photos available here.
| Thank you to our Sponsors! | We’re incredibly grateful to our Sponsors for supporting the 2026 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade! Your investment helps us recognize Arkansas businesses making an impact in global markets and celebrate the people and companies driving our state’s international success. | GLOBAL GROWTH STARTS HERE | |
Colton Rook
Business Development
V. Alexander & Co., Inc
Tel # 901-795-7761 ext 1296
crook@valexander.com
Fax # 901-363-1054
www.valexander.com | Excellence, one transaction at a time.
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Ocean Peak Season Set to Potentially Extend into 2027
Congestion at major Chinese ports, driven by recent storms and sustained U.S. import demand, continues to pressure trans-Pacific supply chains. Ocean carriers report reduced vessel capacity and expect cargo volumes to remain elevated well beyond the traditional peak season.
Strong imports are being fueled not only by consumer spending but also by increased sourcing from China and growing shipments tied to AI and data center infrastructure projects. While conditions at some Chinese ports are improving, carriers and forwarders expect tight vessel space and robust demand to continue following the Golden Week holiday period.
Bottom line: Trans-Pacific trade remains highly active, with ongoing demand and lingering port congestion likely to keep supply chain pressures elevated into 2027.
Read More Here: Asia delays, import strength extending trans-Pac peak season | Journal of Commerce
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Richard Duda, Director
U.S. Commercial Service – Little Rock Export Assistance Center
U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration
+1 501-324-5795 (direct)
+1 501-324-5794 (office)
+1 501-251-7472 (mobile)
Richard.Duda@trade.gov
700 W. Capitol Avenue, Room 4413, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
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Celebrating Manufacturing Month
In October, the International Trade Administration joins with U.S. government and industry partners to celebrate Manufacturing Month and the importance of U.S. manufacturing innovation and ingenuity to our standard of living. U.S. manufacturing is an enduring and ever-evolving sector that contributes $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy, employs nearly 12.9 million American workers, and accounts for 11 percent of the nation’s GDP. Learn more about this industry and ITA’s work to help U.S. manufacturers compete and win around the globe.
Manufacturing Month honors the success of manufacturers who export and encourages other manufacturers in the U.S. to start or expand their foreign sales. Webinars are available all month to inform you on latest trends and best practices.
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Get Found Where Buyers Are Searching
AI is changing how buyers identify and evaluate suppliers.
Instead of starting with a traditional web search, more buyers are turning to tools such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Gemini to research products, compare companies, and identify potential suppliers.
As part of Manufacturing Month, the U.S. Commercial Service invites U.S. manufacturers to a practical webinar on how AI search is reshaping the B2B buyer journey and what companies can do to improve their visibility with buyers in the United States and around the world.
Your next international buyer may never visit your website directly. They may simply ask an AI tool to recommend suppliers. The question is: Will your company make the shortlist?
What You’ll Learn
- How manufacturers are being discovered, or overlooked, by AI search platforms
- How AI is changing the way domestic and international buyers identify suppliers
- What signals can help AI tools understand and recommend your company
- Practical steps manufacturers can take now to strengthen their online and AI visibility
- How stronger digital visibility can support domestic and international sales growth
Who Should Attend
This webinar is designed for U.S. manufacturers that currently export or are interested in expanding into international markets, including:
- Business owners and executives
- Sales and business development teams
- Marketing and digital strategy teams
- Export and international sales professionals
Speaker: Justin Siebert, President of Direct Online Marketing, Associate Board Member at NADEC
| | OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR PARTNERS | | World Trade Center Arkansas | | |
Meet our featured speaker, Tobias Teeter, Director of the University of Arkansas Collaborative in Bentonville and a seasoned entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience building, scaling, and leading e-commerce and technology companies.
Throughout his career, Tobias has founded and grown multiple businesses specializing in digital commerce, online marketplaces, product development, international sourcing, and performance marketing. During this Lunch & Learn, he will share practical strategies for growing an e-commerce business across Shopify and major online marketplaces, including Amazon Seller Central, while exploring customer acquisition, conversion optimization, performance analytics, and the practical use of AI to support online business growth.
Join us for E-Commerce 101: How to Sell Online and gain practical insights that can help strengthen your digital commerce strategy.
📅 Wednesday, October 14, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 World Trade Center Arkansas
🍽️ Lunch will be provided.
| | Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center | | |
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2026
1:00-2:00PM CDT
ONLINE
Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity threats, and technology changes are impacting businesses of every size. Get practical "Cyber Smart" strategies for protecting your business, reducing risk, and building resilience.
Hosted in partnership with the UA Little Rock Cyberspace Operations Research and Education (CORE) Center, this virtual session will provide actionable insights for small businesses. Cyber experts will share steps you can take today to safeguard your systems, customer data, and more.
- Learn how employees, policies, and everyday behaviors contribute to a stronger security culture.
- Know what to do before, during, and after a cyber incident.
- Find out about CORE Center services for Arkansas businesses.
Speaker: Raney Anderson, CORE Center Operations Manager
Point of Contact: Laterika Staton (501) 804-4530
REGISTER HERE TODAY
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2026
10:00-11:00AM CDT
ONLINE
Did you know: The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program helps small businesses in both urban and rural areas get priority access to federal contracting opportunities!
The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program's goal is to encourage job creation and capital investment in small businesses in economically challenged areas. With a goal of providing at least three percent (3%) of federal contract funds to HUBZone-certified companies each year, the HUBZone program promotes small business growth in previously neglected business zones. It also provides preference to businesses that are in full and open competition. The Small Business Administration has made it easier for qualified small firms to join the HUBZone program.
Of course, there are requirements to join this program. Let the SBA Arkansas District Office explain the program and how your business can receive assistance with federal contracting at this virtual training workshop!
REGISTER HERE TODAY
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Arkansas exports $6.9 billion in goods around the world and supports 34,470 jobs in the state and nation! Our top three exports are transportation equipment, food and kindred products and chemicals, primarily to the nations of Canada, Mexico and France.
For more information, see our State Factsheet.
The mission of the Arkansas District Export Council is
to promote and support international trade activities and awareness
throughout the State of Arkansas.
Please feel free to contact us.
If we don't know the answer, we'll find someone who does!
Jonathan Bricker, Chairman
Heidi Whitman, Administrative Coordinator
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